Refugee Services Intern
Internship Overview
In a time of record forced displacement around the world, we are here to create a safe environment for refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees and trafficking survivors. We offer counsel, classes and job trainings that help New Americans begin again.
The Refugee Services Intern helps our team support refugees and immigrants in our community as they navigate life in Minnesota, set personal goals, and work towards the completion of those goals.
We work with refugees coming from all over the world, with a high proportion Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Iraq, and others. This is a great opportunity to improve cross-cultural communication skills, learn first-hand about the lives of refugees living in the Twin Cities, and learn about the process of refugee resettlement in Minnesota.
About the Internship
Please read each section below before applying.
- Assist case managers in completing assessments and providing direct services to refugees, asylees, and other immigrants
- Support clients with coordinating appointments; connecting to additional resources; and communicating with landlords, educators, and employers
- Help families set short-term SMART goals and work towards their completion
- Show families how to navigate public transportation by accompanying clients on the bus or light rail
- Provide housing support to families, including conducting safety assessments and helping families move (note: this could include carrying furniture and beds)
- Complete post-service period evaluations with clients via phone or home visit
- Work with case managers to promote independence and self-sufficiency
- Comfortable in a cross-cultural environment and communicating with limited-English individuals
- Commitment to the human rights and general welfare of refugees and immigrants
- Commitment to the use of strengths-based client approaches, and to supporting families in their journeys to becoming confident, independent, and self-sufficient.
- Comfortable discussing sensitive topics
- Empathetic and practices healthy boundaries
- Curious, willing to learn, and willing to try new things and ask questions
- Second language ability, particularly Arabic, Dari, French, Karen, Oromo, Pashto, Somali, Spanish, or Swahili preferred
- Experience with computers and Microsoft products
- Minimum of 15 hours/week preferred
- M-F 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (flexible within this schedule)
- In-person position, no remote options
- This position fulfills requirements for BSW Senior internship or MSW Foundation internship (if applicable)
- The position is unpaid, though we are willing to work with the student if they are able to facilitate the earning of class credit through their internship or if they are interested in applying for compensation through a fellowship program.
- Free parking and bus line accessibility
- Individualized supervision with Institute staff
- Opportunity to gain refugee resettlement and non-profit experience and work directly with clients
About Us
Founded in 1919, the International Institute of Minnesota offers New Americans quality services that support their journey to stability and success. Our comprehensive offerings include refugee resettlement, English education, workforce and leadership development, college preparation and support, and immigration and citizenship assistance. The Institute also provides advocacy for policy reforms and supports systems change that improve opportunities for New Americans to move their lives forward.
Contact Us
Call or email us if you have questions about volunteering.
Kaela Schweisthal
Volunteer and Community Partnerships Manager
(651) 377-8663